5:28 pm ET, April 29, 2024
Northwestern says an agreement was reached with students to limit the scope of the protests
From CNN's Virginia Longmaid
Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/DNS/Getty Images
Northwestern University announced an agreement with student protesters on Monday to limit the scope of campus protests and end encampments on the school's Deering lawn. said in a press release.
Through negotiations with “a group of students and teachers representing most of the protesters at Deering Lawn,” the two sides agreed to limit the scope of the protest, while granting some of the organizers' demands for transparency and freedom of speech.
According to the agreement, until the end of spring classes — June 1 — when the purpose is reduced to an aid tent, protesters will be allowed on site, loudspeakers will be within university policy and attendees will be university only.
“All other tents must be removed,” according to Agreement.
The university will reconvene its Advisory Committee on Investment and Responsibility in the fall and is committed to more transparency regarding specific investment holdings. In addition, the university announced support for Palestinian faculty and students, including travel expenses for five Palestinian students and the construction of a community space for Middle Eastern and North African/Muslim students.
In a series of Instagram posts, the Northwest Divestment Coalition, which helped establish the camp, called the deal a “first step” toward divestment, saying it was approved by elected representatives in a 17-1 vote. The coalition represents student groups including NU Students for Justice in Palestine and NU Jewish Voice for Peace.
Monday was the fifth day of camping in the Northwest. Protesters and police were present at the camp from time to time, and a peaceful and non-violent atmosphere prevailed over the weekend.
